The Senate has unanimously passed The Marine Debris Act to fight the growing problem of garbage in our oceans! Two ocean champions, Senators Mark Begich (D-AK) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) provided leadership on the Senate bill. Ocean champion Congressman Sam Farr (D-CA) led the House version across the finish line a few weeks earlier. The bill now goes to President Obama, who is expected to sign it into law.

As you know, billions of pounds of garbage flow into our oceans every year, killing fish, turtles, marine mammals and birds while destroying critical habitat. This good bill drives research to find solutions to these impacts while working to stem the flow of trash into the ocean and to remove existing debris.